WINTER 2021 ISSUE
S O U T H E R N C H A P T E R O F T H E I N T E R N AT I O N A L S O C I E T Y O F A R B O R I C U LT U R E
ISA
S UTHERN
TCC in the Natural State SEE STORY ON PAGE 6. PHOTOS BY BLAKE HAMPTON.
AM_ISA_value 2020.qxp_Valued 7/1/20 5:12 PM Page 1
e u Val
COST
Release the ideas of:
Being squeezed. Crunching numbers. Balance sheets. Scarcity. Hurting your bottom line.
Embrace the concepts of:
Cultivating relationships. Growing partnerships within our community. Realizing what is truly important.
ARBORMETRICS — Reimagining how to streamline your vegetation management program.
w w w. A R B O R M E T R I C S . c o m
PAGE 2
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • WINTER 2021
• 1 . 8 6 6 . 6 8 5 .1 8 8 0 t o l l f r e e
Message from the President I hope your December holidays were restful and enjoyable. We are embarking yet again on another new year for which we can expect better days and many opportunities. As Mark Twain said, “Yesterday everybody smoked his last cigar, took his last drink, and swore his last oath.”* Starting a new year means starting fresh. For example, we can pledge to learn more about post-storm tree restoration this year. Or we can better keep up with our CEUs. Or we can reach out to those we haven’t heard from for a while. Or we can become more active than ever in our professional organizations. I am encouraged and excited for the arboriculture profession in 2021. We have so many things to look forward to. Among these, Chapter leaders have been working hard on the strategic plan which outlines many new activities not only for the new year but for the next three years. We will unveil this strategic plan at the business meeting during our Annual Conference in April. As well, our membership committee led by upcoming president Kasey Krouse, is rockin’ and rollin’. We will have a membership plan in place to recruit new members as well as retain current members by better addressing their needs. In addition to this Chapter newsletter, we will continue to publish the Bi-weekly Branch and we will be hosting several webinar events throughout the year. The Annual Conference is going virtual due to risks associated with COVID-19. Skip Kincaid will provide more details in his
by Jason Gordon
article on page 4, but I’m looking forward to an outstanding conference. Virtual conferences have been going on for almost a year now, and while there are some disadvantages, benefits include lower registration prices, saving travel expenses, attracting a broader audience, and inviting speakers that otherwise wouldn’t be able to participate. While continuing to work with Connie Hilson, our wonderful conference manager of many years, the Chapter has contracted with an experienced virtual conference production company for the 2021 conference. You will be pleased with the polished final product, complete with private sponsor rooms, a tradeshow floor, and live question and answer with speakers. We are planning a conference that comes as close to in-person as possible. We have some surprises which are too early to reveal in this newsletter, so keep an eye on the conference web page and our Spring newsletter issue. Arboriculture has many outstanding professionals who are on the front lines of keeping people safe through tree-risk mitigation, helping people enjoy the landscape, and facilitating ecosystem benefits from trees. If you know of someone who deserves acknowledgement for outstanding professionalism, please see our award categories on page 4 or send an email to Chapter administration (skincaid@isasouthern.org). It’s an honor to showcase the exceptional work of our members. May your new year be safe, joyful, and prosperous. * Of course, he then describes what happens to the new year’s resolutions after a month has passed.
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • WINTER 2021
PAGE 3
Southern Chapter Update & Report
by Skip Kincaid, Southern Chapter Executive Director
As 2021 kicks into gear, there are so many things for all of us to focus on. We’re coming out of the holiday season and getting back to our everyday routine (or at least as much as COVID will allow). The news cycle is full of … well … news, and many of us are searching for some normalcy. As arborists, we can be thankful that our livelihood focuses on a resource that means so much to so many. Without getting too symbolic here, most of us feel blessed to know we care for something that carries so much symbolism about life, death, renewal, new beginnings …. So, as 2021 begins to stumble in, let’s remember to focus on this profession we chose, and use it to bring some normalcy to the world. Your ISA Southern Chapter has been anything but “business as usual” this past quarter. We recently made the decision to go virtual for the 2021 Southern Chapter Conference and Trade Show. This is the second year we will not have a live conference, which means that I have yet to be part of one as your Executive Director. Prior to being in that role, I attended several Southern Chapter Conferences, and always thought it was one of the best Chapter conferences in the country. We will get back to live events as soon as we can, but in the meantime we will strive to make virtual the next best thing. The good news is that our virtual conference—while still a distant second compared to live professional gatherings— promises to bring you all the great programming you’ve come
to expect. And our exhibitors and sponsors will be a click away with separate rooms where you can interact and see their products. The conference app will make switching sessions and visiting with an exhibitor an absolute breeze. Our Conference and Trade Show will be delivered to you each Tuesday from 9am until noon (Eastern) during the entire month of April. The morning time slot was selected based your responses to our recent strategic plan survey. This will give you a chance to get some of the “must do” things accomplished first thing in the morning, then settle in with a cup or two of coffee for some great material. While the specific agenda is still taking shape as I write this, I can promise you a robust lineup of educational sessions that will appeal to arborists of all types. Tree service owners, climbers, municipal arborists, consultants, utility arborists, and everyone else who deals with trees will find opportunities to learn, engage, promote, and connect. The full agenda and online registration will be on our website very soon. The strategic plan is taking shape. We are working through the operational plan portion that will identify specific tasks for our staff, our board, and our many volunteers. The plan will officially launch at the Chapter Business meeting that will take place on the last day of the conference. Be prepared for someone to reach out to you to serve on a committee or assist with elevated levels of programming. Many of you who responded to the survey offered your time and expertise to help make the Chapter stronger. We plan to take you up on that offer!
ISA
S UTHERN
Just in … really breaking news! Just learned that we can announce our keynote speaker for the conference will be Mr. Chuck Leavell, the Tree Man! You probably know him as keyboard player for the Allman Brothers, Rolling Stones, Fabulous Thunderbirds, among others. But what many people are learning is that he is also an active and visible tree advocate! He is a tree farmer in Georgia and currently has a program, American Forests, that airs on PBS and a new movie, Chuck Leavell: The Tree Man, on Netflix. We will hear some of his insights about the tree world, and also get to hear a live performance with time built in for some Q&A!
Do you know someone who stands out in our industry? Check out the Southern Chapter’s online awards page. You’ll find an impressive list of honorees, award criteria descriptions, and a link to the nomination form. Award of Merit | Award of Achievement | Honorary Life Membership Award for Excellence in Arboriculture Education | President’s Award John G. Martin Award | Award of Arboricultural Research Award for Excellence in Arboriculture PAGE 4
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • WINTER 2021
We’re constantly sharpening our skills to build the safest, most efficient, and most capable workforce in the industry, featuring advanced n n n
training protocols, including:
Industry-Leading Apprenticeship Program Computer Based Training Tree Felling Training
ASPLUNDH.COM
n
1-800-248-TREE
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • WINTER 2021
PAGE 5
News from the Natural State by David Raines, Arkansas Director
2020 had its fair share of challenges, and with a global pandemic building steam, regional and local tree climbing championships were not immune to the far-reaching impact. The third annual Natural State Tree Climbing Championship, hosted by the Arkansas Urban Forestry Council, was originally scheduled for the first weekend of May 2020. However, like many other scheduled TCCs, we had to scramble to reschedule and we were extremely thankful that we could carry on with our event that took place November 7-8. With the support of a great AUFC team and the cooperation of the Fayetteville city parks and urban forester, we were able to have another world class TCC. We had a great response from the very early days of planning, and the competitor roster filled up quickly with 37 climbers from 8 different states, and 6 first-time competitors. It is impossible to host a successful TCC without the support of the many volunteers who give freely of their time and resources. This year did not disappoint, with 56 volunteers traveling from 13 different states! The list of sponsors was also long, with many industry leaders and local businesses providing excellent prize packages and financial support to help advance arboriculture within our beautiful home state. As with all TCCs, work began many weeks ahead of time with the recruitment of qualified volunteers and preparing the trees in Walker Park to be safe for the climbers and the many spectators. The day of tree prep was cold with a light drizzle, but many willing volunteers braved the elements for a very productive day. Preliminary events began on Saturday November 7, and the weather was perfect. Walker Park proved to be a great location with plenty of curious Fayetteville residents and numerous out-ofstate spectators cheering on the strong field of climbing arborists. At the end of the day, scores were tallied, and prize packages were awarded. The top three out-of-state competitors and the top three Arkansas competitors were announced and would advance to the masters challenge on Sunday. Jacob Perkins from Missouri, Jimmy Prichard from Texas, and Aaron Keifer from Missouri were the top three out-of-state competitors to advance to masters. Jeremy Williams, Jeff Cole, and Jimmy King were the highest scoring Arkansas competitors to advance to the masters challenge. Brandon Casper from Fayetteville, Arkansas, was the “Rookie” winner, Dustin Goodman from Texas was the “Spirit of the Competition” winner, and numerous others were awarded prizes and recognition for outstanding actions and service. Sunday proved to be a very exciting day of watching six of the highest level climbing arborists skillfully and thoughtfully strategize and work their way through a great masters challenge tree. At the end of the day, Jacob Perkins walked away with the highest overall score and the title of “Out of State Champion.” Jimmy King from Bella Vista had the top in-state score and for the second consecutive year was awarded the Arkansas champion. The Arkansas Urban Forestry Council was very grateful for the many volunteers, sponsors, and competitors who traveled many miles to help with another highly successful TCC. We hope you will follow us throughout the new year and join us in beautiful Hot Springs, Arkansas, for the fourth annual Natural State Tree Climbing Championship, May 2021!
Top to bottom: Jimmy King, Jacob Perkins, Dustin Goodman, and Jeremy Williams. All photos by Blake Hampton. PAGE 6
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • WINTER 2021
ANY DEVICE. ANY WORKFLOW. Clearion’s field software provides functionality for arborists, inspectors, designers, planners, and auditors to build and manage detailed work plans and seamlessly communicate with crews. “Using the new mobile vegetation management system has increased the accuracy of the information captured on-site and reduced the amount of data entry for WEL Network’s vegetation crews. We’re able to create detailed work plans, automate maintenance cycles, issue electronic work orders, track post-work inspections, and re-work, calculate estimated and actual costs, and manage schedules and budgets,” says WEL Network’s Field Delivery Manager Mark Keller.
Connect with Clearion
(404) 954-0297 info@clearion.com
clearion.com
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • WINTER 2021
PAGE 7
A Partnership to Grow the Industry in NC
by Leslie Moorman, North Carolina Director
Over the years, I have heard comments from my industry climbing; business communications; equipment operation and friends and partners about how hard it is to find new, young, and maintenance; and conversational Spanish. The intent is to give dependable individuals who want to begin a career in arboriculture. participants a comfortable and practical knowledge of these topics Others have mentioned how difficult it is to find someone willing to become more marketable and better prepared for a profitable to fill an entry-level position within their tree company. career in arboriculture. Additionally, the program will help prepare There is something exciting coming to NC in 2021 that participants to take the certified arborist exam. Other industry will be of interest to tree-care industry folks and will address credentials will also be built into the course instruction. these issues. The NC Urban Forest Council has partnered with Industry experts from around the state will lead the instruction, Alamance Community College and ensuring the most NC State University to develop a 12up-to-date practices week arboriculture certificate program. are being taught. Alamance Community College will Program participants offer the certificate through continuing will need to register Credentials are evidence of a education curriculum. This venture for the certificate targets those interested in arboriculture program but are not strong work ethic, drive, and or those new to the arboriculture required to submit a industry who would like to expand their college admissions persistence that can be used to knowledge base. This program will application. catapult you into a successful career offer training opportunities, both in the The NC Urban classroom and outdoors. The course will Forest Council and and will continue to pay dividends take place on Fridays for 12 weeks, with Alamance Community a mix of online and in-person classes; College also want back throughout your career. this hybrid class model is designed to to work with the reduce the amount of travel required to industry to offer complete the program. an apprenticeship We believe the arboriculture program, where certificate program is a first step in achieving your career students can apprentice with a tree-care company during their aspirations in arboriculture. Credentials are evidence of a strong studies. If you are interested in becoming an industry partner work ethic, drive, and persistence that can be used to catapult willing to host an apprentice, please let us know. you into a successful career and will continue to pay dividends The first offering of this program will start in November 2021 back throughout your career. The certificate program classes at Alamance Community College in Graham, NC. Please contact will cover the following topics: tree biology; plant identification; Liz Riley (Elizabeth.riley@alamancecc.edu) or Leslie Moorman pest management; introductory and advanced arboriculture; tree (ncufc1@gmail.com) for more information. PAGE 8
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • WINTER 2021
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • WINTER 2021
PAGE 9
Don’t miss out on continuing education opportunities and ISA CEUs!
Upcoming Events & CEU Opportunities in the Southern Chapter Region Check out all the new CEU opportunities listed below. This list is kept current on the Southern Chapter website as well. Save the site to your “favorites” as an easy access portal for events and registration information. If you know of opportunities we haven’t listed, please share! Email skincaid@isasouthern.org and I’ll get it posted. While many of the face-to-face workshops and conferences have been canceled, we have worked hard to partner with organizations to be sure you get a wide range of opportunities to stay sharp. This list contains upcoming events that we are aware of. All the courses and conferences listed provide opportunities to earn ISA CEUs that help you maintain your ISA certifications. ISA is also offering no cost quizzes for articles to give you more opportunities to earn CEUs.
Expanded Complementary CEU Quizzes for ISA Members To assist ISA members who hold credentials in earning continuing education units (CEUs), ISA is now providing online quizzes from both Arborist News and Arboriculture and Urban Forestry dating back to the beginning of 2018 at no cost to members. New Detective Dendro online quizzes will also be made complimentary to ISA members as they are published throughout the year. You will receive notices as new serial publications are added to our online platform. Log in to the ISA website and log in to your MyISA account. Make your way to the page for Arborist News CEU quizzes, www. isa-arbor/store/ceuquizzes/110. Add the quiz to your cart, proceed to the checkout, and look for the content to appear on your personal dashboard under the header “My Quizzes.” Please note: CEUs for any given quiz/product may be earned only once per recertification cycle by each credential holder. Only online quizzes apply; mailed quizzes will not be accepted for CEUs. ISA will not issue refunds for previously purchased quizzes.
Webinar Developers and Hosts TREE Fund https://treefund.org/webinars TREE Fund and ISA Southern Chapter are partnering to provide webinars that feature some of the speakers from the ISA Southern Chapter Conference that was canceled. Check out the link to these and other great webinars offered by TREE Fund and its partners. Urban Forestry Today http://www.urbanforestrytoday.org/
Georgia Arborist Association https://georgiaarborist.org/All-Events A wide range of excellent topics and presenters are planned. Arborjet Webinars https://arborjet.com/training/webinars/ Aborjet provides a series of educational events covering a wide range of plant health care topics provided by experts. You can register for live broadcasts or watch recorded content as well.
Forestry Webinars http://www.forestrywebinars.net/ Urban Forest Connections USDA Forest Service https://www.fs.fed.us/research/urban-webinars/ Utility Arborist Association https://www.gotouaa.org/project/webinars/ Utility Arborist Association members can access several webinars that highlight speakers that were scheduled to appear in the Utility Track at the ISA Southern Chapter Conference. ISA CEUs are available for the live broadcasts. UAA members can access the free webinar schedule at https://www.gotouaa. org/project/webinars/. After the live events are completed, the videos are archived and available to all. ISA CEUs are not available for the archived videos. North Carolina Urban Forest Council https://www.ncufc.org/events.php A series of webinars are scheduled for broadcast this fall. A wide range of excellent topics and presenters are planned. PAGE 10
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • WINTER 2021
Professional Arborists Association of Mississippi (PAAM) http://paam-ms.com/ Join PAAM for a series of webinars through this fall that will cover a variety of arboriculture topics. Each session provides 1 ISA CEU. Alabama Extension https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/ landscaping/raising-trees-webinar-series/ A series of webinars covers a wide range of topics for arborists. Check out the series HERE and see each session described in the list below. Alabama Extension and University of Georgia Extension and The Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at University of Georgia These fine organizations have partnered to provide a series of webinars that will take place once a month and cover arboriculture topics en Español.
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • WINTER 2021
PAGE 11
Educational Events January 16, 2021 10:00am-Noon (Eastern) Canopy Class – Reinforced Rigging Systems Instructor: Almon Cox Burke Outdoor, 418 Fleming Drive, Morganton, NC This live session will include discussion and demonstration on lowering devices. Attendees will learn about reinforced rigging and the forces they apply. RSVP @ (828) 391-9450 or rb3@burkeoutdoor.com January 20, 2021 9:00am-Noon (Eastern) Tennessee Eastern Regional Virtual Short Course (Ornamentals Session 2) TN Extension WEBINAR series Presenters: Dr. Andrea Ludwig; Carol Reese; Dr. Robert Florence The University of Tennessee’s Institute of Agriculture is offering a series of webinars over three dates that will provide excellent information useful to arborists. Session 2 includes three presentations about landscaping impacts on water quality, protecting and promoting pollinators, and urban soil management. Additional session dates include January 13 and January 27. Information and registration: HERE January 21, 2021 12:00 PM (Central) The Asian Longhorned Beetle Heads South Alabama Extension WEBINAR Presenter: Dr. David Coyle In May 2020, an Asian longhorned beetle infestation was discovered in Charleston County, South Carolina. Primarily attacking red maple trees, this pest has also been found in several other hardwood species in the area. This webinar will give an update on the current situation while discussing ALB biology and ecology, with particular attention paid to the unique situation this SC infestation presents. Information and registration: HERE January 21, 2021 Noon (Eastern) Stand Dynamics in the Old Forest State Natural Area TUFC and UT WEBINAR Presenter: Eric Bridges The Tennessee Urban Forestry Council and University of Tennessee webinar series continues with a session on old-growth urban forests. Mr. Bridges will discuss fire frequency, invasive pests, and human-related compaction impacts on an old growth urban forest. Info and registration HERE January 27, 2021 9:00am-Noon (Eastern) Tennessee Eastern Regional Virtual Short Course (Arboriculture Session) TN Extension WEBINAR series Presenters: Jon Nessle; Kasey Krouse; Pete Stewart and Lucy Ellis The University of Tennessee’s Institute of Agriculture is offering a series of webinars over three dates that will provide excellent information useful to arborists. This Arboriculture Session includes three presentations about proper tree pruning, tree species selection, and understory plantings to promote natural enemies of tree pests. Earlier session dates include January 13 and January 20. Information and registration: HERE
PAGE 12
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • WINTER 2021
January 27, 2021 8:30am-4:30pm (Eastern) Landscape Pro University GA Urban Ag Council VIRTUAL event The Georgia Urban Ag Council is offering this one-day virtual event with many sessions useful to arborists. Information and registration: HERE January 28, 2021 Proper Pruning Presenter: Willie Chance Proper pruning makes trees and shrubs less susceptible to pests, creates structurally strong & beautiful plants, and encourages healthy growth and flowering. Pruning methods vary with plant type. We discuss the purpose for pruning, proper pruning timing and methods, and common errors in pruning. For more information, visit https://wchance3.wordpress.com/ January 28-29, 2021 8:30am-3:00pm (Eastern) SC Green Conference SC Green Industry Council VIRTUAL event The South Carolina Green Industry Council is offering this two-day virtual event with many sessions useful to arborists. Information and registration: HERE February 1-3, 2021 8:30-10:00am each day (Eastern) 23rd Eastern Carolina Landscape Conference NC Extension WEBINAR Presenters: Dr. Joe Neal; Dr. Alan Windham; Dr. Matt Bertone North Carolina Extension invites you to their annual event with presentations focusing on proper pesticide use and diagnosis and control of insect and disease problems. Info and registration HERE. February 2, 2021 Noon (Central) Pruning With A Purpose AUFC WEBINAR Presenter: Kristie Quinn; Allen Bates, Anthony Whittington Join the Arkansas Urban Forestry Council for this session on the art of pruning. Learn about basic pruning techniques to achieve desired results and reduce harm to trees. Info and registration HERE February 9, 2021 Noon (Central) Tree Preservation on the Construction Site AUFC WEBINAR Presenter: Allen Bates Join the Arkansas Urban Forestry Council for this session protecting trees during construction. Learn how to avoid damage to trees worthy of protection and identify critical areas to protect. Info and registration HERE
URBAN
TREE TRIMMER
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • WINTER 2021
PAGE 13
Educational Events February 11, 2021 Noon (Eastern) Rethinking Trees TUFC and UT WEBINAR Presenter: Dr. Paul Ries The Tennessee Urban Forestry Council and University of Tennessee webinar series continues with a look at how to maximize the benefits that trees provide in our communities. Tree board members, community leaders and those who work with them will be targeted in this presentation. Info and registration HERE. February 23, 2021 TRAQ Renewal Class February 24-26, 2021 TRAQ Full Course (this class is full) ISA Certified Arborist, Utility Arborist, and Municipal Specialist EXAM City of Knoxville Public Works Service Center 3131 Morris Avenue, Knoxville, Tennessee 37909 Please read the “ISA TRAQ Application Guide” to be very clear about application and renewal requirements and details about the credential and the courses. Applicants for either course must register 30 days prior to the session they plan to attend. We are making plans for additional TRAQ courses. RENEWAL COURSE REGISTRATION HERE (February 23)
February 25, 2021 Proper Care Prevents Pests Presenter: Willie Chance and Larry Figart Healthy trees resist pests much better than weaker trees. This is most commonly seen in the fact that stressed urban trees are much more prone to pests than rural or forest trees. Examples of stress-related pests include bot canker and scales on oak and red maple. We discuss good tree care and how it helps trees remain healthy and pest-free. Proper care is an instrumental part of integrated pest management (IPM). For more information, visit https://wchance3.wordpress.com/ April 6-27, 2021 9:00am-Noon (Eastern) ISA Southern Chapter Annual Conference and Trade Show VIRTUAL Event Mark your calendars for Tuesday mornings in April. We’re working on the final schedule and format. Registration will begin in early January. Check for updates at https://www.isasouthern.org/conference
Our advanced technology for tree treatment allows you to
INCREASE THE NUMBER OF TREES YOU TREAT IN A DAY!
No drilling damage No mixing at job sites No guarding or return trips No waiting for uptake Treats most trees in five minutes or less! ◆ Successful and most profitable add-on service ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆
Multiple injection tips designed for all types of trees, conifers and palms
Insecticides • Fungicides • PGRs • Antibiotics • MicroNutrients
Learn more! Call 800.698.4641 or visit ArborSystems.com for information and videos PAGE 14
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • WINTER 2021
The Challenge of Overcoming Trials
by Brad Petree, ISA Certified Arborist, Petree Arbor Lawn & Landscape, Inc. I have often heard it takes a lot of grit to run your own 2020 started out mild with the promise of a brand new year. I business. I believe a business owner should not only possess grit, live in East Tennessee, so it’s anyone’s guess as to what the weather but also needs faith, wisdom, patience, focus, and commitment. will hold, from day-to-day let alone week-to-week. From January Every business owner faces trials, some self-inflicted and some to the end of March, we had 30 days of no work due to rain. Oh not. It’s important to remember and remind ourselves why we yeah, and there is the rumor of a “new little virus” coming to a do what we do. The year is finally 2021, and most people are town near you. By the end of March, we now know it is called the saying good riddance to 2020. I personally was feeling the same Coronavirus. I will not bore you with the details and adjustments way back in 2019. we had to make over this new trial, and if all this sounds like a lot I have owned my tree-care company for more than 20 years to deal with, let’s not forget about the election and the economy. now. To say I have had my share of trials Remember those attributes would be an understatement! Injuries, I spoke of earlier? To me, thefts, overdue bills, wrecks, hiring a there is none more important conartist, damage to client’s property, than faith. 2019, 2020, and economic collapse, unfair comparisons 2021 are just numbers. What in the marketplace, too much work/not do trials and tribulations enough help, too much help/not enough care about the date? Treework .... Does all this sound familiar? care companies all over the Well, it all came to what I thought world face these same trials was a climatic head in 2019 with an and maybe even unique ones almost total loss of assets due to a fire. marked out just for them. I could tell you all the details of what Businesses must come up with a fire can do to a company, but just a plan to adjust our equipment let your imagination run wild and you and employees to meet would probably be correct. We lost more challenges time after time, than $1 million in assets along with our year after year, trial after trial. office, and, more importantly, 20+ years I would love to tell you of the of notes, client lists, vendor names, and special contact names great wisdom or stellar strategy I’ve learned to help me face all this written down on some random piece of paper. but I cannot, if I am being honest. All this while I was on vacation at the end of September 2019. Faith has been my anchor through it all. That is why I listed it Trying to keep valuable staff members busy without a record first. Remembering why I do this at times is equally important to of work orders or a client list while simultaneously dealing with me. Although it did not start out that way, the men and women an endless menagerie of phone calls to insurance, the IRS, and a who work beside me have become my own personal mission field. collection of upset clients who are wondering why you have not I grew to see the importance of helping others have that same made it to their job yet is not a recommended way to close out faith in their personal lives. Tony Dungy, a famous NFL coach your year. once said, “I know that God has provided me with a significant Shortly after all this “wonderfulness,” I had an out-of-state platform that cannot be measured in sheer numbers alone. We PHC class scheduled. While I was at supper one night, thieves are role models to someone. Speaking to 5,000 people is no more broke the window out of my rental truck and stole my bookbag important than quietly teaching one.” Well said. containing all the notes from the class, my passport, and iPad. I can’t tell you what 2021 holds, but I can promise you it will So, there I was thinking to myself, “Good riddance, 2019. Hello, have trials. Remember why you do this and keep in mind that faith 2020.” You cannot make this stuff up. can be the great equalizer, no matter the trial. SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • WINTER 2021
PAGE 15
2020-2021 Southern Chapter Officers President: Jason Gordon UGA Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources (706) 542-1011 Jason.Gordon@uga.edu Executive Director: Skip Kincaid (888) 339-8733 skincaid@isasouthern.org President Elect: Kasey Krouse City of Knoxville (865) 215-6113 kkrouse@knoxvilletn.gov
Jim Cortese Named ISA True Professional by Skip Kincaid, Southern Chapter Executive Director
Southern Chapter member Jim Cortese was awarded the 2020 ISA True Professionals Award at the recent ISA Annual Conference. Jim was recognized for his outstanding leadership and community contributions that have resulted in raising awareness about the importance of urban forests and improving best-practices in urban tree management in east Tennessee. Many organizations in Tennessee have recognized Jim’s talents including the Knoxville Tree Board and the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council. Jim, often referred to as the resident Lorax of Tennessee, lectures across the South and was published in ISA’s Arboriculture and Urban Forestry. A member of ISA and ISA Southern Chapter since 1977, Jim is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, a member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists, and CEO of Jim Cortese Consulting Arborist based in Knoxville, TN. Congratulations Jim!
Vice President/Treasurer: Nancy Beckemeyer Georgia Power Company (404) 590-9376 nsbeckem@southernco.com Chapter CoR Representative: David Vandergriff Griff Arbor|Hort (865) 705-4983 griffarbor@gmail.com Tree Climbing Championship: Scott Winningham (931) 261-1967 sawinningham@charter.net TREE Fund Liaison: (open) Past President: Jimmy Walters Urban Forest Advisors LLC (864) 992-0252 jimmy.3t@gmail.com Media Director and Editor: Sarah Mitchell (336) 409-7805 sarahmitchell@live.com Conference Planner: Connie Hilson (217) 766-1044 conference@isasouthern.org
YOUR FORESTRY EQUIPMENT SOURCE
WHO WE ARE Custom Truck One Source is a leading assembler of forestry aerial lift equipment. Our primary focus is on building the best aerial lift trucks for the independent tree trimming and vegetative management market. We stock many lifts and chassis ready for assembly into the combination that will fit your company best. The choices for your chassis are the best in the industry and include names such as Freightliner, International and Ford. 877-930-4031 www.customtruck.com/forestry forestrysales@customtruck.com PAGE 16
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • WINTER 2021
Camden Arbor Day 2020 by Sara Hollar, South Carolina Director
Every year, South Carolina celebrates Arbor Day on the first Friday in December. The winter months are a great time of year to plant trees in the South, so our state uses these events to kick off tree-planting season. While it was a little bit different this year, check out these 2020 Arbor Day celebrations from around the state.
University of South Carolina
Tega Cay
Charleston
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • WINTER 2021
PAGE 17
Aiken
Rock Hill
SAFETY IN NUMBERS SAFETY IS MORE THAN JUST A NUMBER. BUT IF WE STRIVE FOR ONE, IT’S 0. Programs like Davey Performance Excellence and The Road to Zero focus on holistic training, team goal setting and encouraging our industry professionals to proactively identify and correct unsafe behaviors and conditions towards achieving annual injury-free workplace goals. daveyutilitysolutions.com/safety
ASSET MANAGEMENT PAGE 18
ECO CONSULTING
SOUTHERN CHAPTER ISA • WINTER 2021
LINE CLEARANCE
STORM RESPONSE
VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
TELECOM CONSTRUCTION
“When you go out into the woods, and you look at trees, you see all these different trees. And some of them are bent, and some of them are straight, and some of them are evergreens, and some of them are whatever. And you look at the tree and you allow it. You see why it is the way it is. You sort of understand that it didn’t get enough light, and so it turned that way. And you don’t get all emotional about it. You just allow it. You appreciate the tree. The minute you get near humans, you lose all that. And you are constantly saying, ‘You are too this,’ or ‘I’m too this.’ That judgment mind comes in. And so I practice turning people into trees. Which means appreciating them just the way they are.” Ram Dass
2020-2021 State Directors Alabama: Gary Ickes Ickes Tree Service, Inc. (251) 945-5144 gary@ickestreeservice.com Arkansas: David Raines Raines Tree Care (479) 244-5228 david@rainestreecare.com
Mississippi: David Fulgham Fulgham’s Inc. (662) 255-5127 david@fulghamsinc.com North Carolina: Leslie Moorman NC Urban Forest Council (252) 653-6277 ncufc1@gmail.com
Georgia: Jeffrey Morgan Georgia Power Company (404) 821-8733 jgmorgan@southernco.com
Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands: (open)
Louisiana: Hallie Dozier LSU AgCenter (225) 281-3264 hdozier@agcenter.lsu.edu
South Carolina: Sara Hollar City of Columbia (803) 545-3862 Sara.Hollar@columbiasc.gov
Tennessee: Sam Adams University of Tennessee - Knoxville (865) 679-8710 smada.home@gmail.com At-Large: Perry Odom City of Tallahassee, FL (850) 891-5181 Perry.Odom@talgov.com
Southern Chapter ISA Website: www.isasouthern.org Phone: (888) 339-8733 E-mail: skincaid@isasouthern.org Skip Kincaid, Exec. Director 1609 Missouri Avenue St Louis, MO 63104